Made in America

“I love the Earth.  It’s where I keep all my stuff.”- SpaceGhost

“I just want to work.”-my Uncle Danny

While at Barnes & Noble yesterday, I bought a new notebook. I went with the intention of buying a Moleskein book. I just love those little black books with the heavy feel, the elastic straps, and the book markers. There’s even a pocket in the back. What I found first, however, was an EcoSystem book. It was cheaper, made from 100% recycled stuff, and made in America.

That other book I was about to buy? …”made in China”… The company is in Italy, so you know… kinda cool…but I’d rather employ an American, thanks.

So I went to the EcoSystem website to register my book. Turns out, in the back of all their books, they print an ID number. You can go online, register your book, and see all kinds of stuff about your book: where it was made, what’s in it, and even how many people are employed in the making of your book.  My book employed up to 65 people in states from WI to DE.  I think that’s cool.  The jobs aren’t “high tech”; they are things like packaging, shipping, binding and sewing, and printing.  Still…they’re American jobs, American recycled materials.  My little book is trying hard to be a superhero.  🙂

This got me wondering about what other things I use that are made in America.  Happily, I discovered my jars are American made and always have been.  I found Skilcraft pens and pencils (probably courtesy of Uncle Sam), and a whole box full of baseballs and gloves that were made in Missouri.  🙂

Here’s a list of some other things that are made in America.  Go on…I dare you to see how many American moms and dads you can employ the next time you go shopping.  🙂

Skilcraft Clothing

Ball canning jars                         Boots

Baseball bats Girl Scout Cookies

Handguns Toys

Ammunition Furniture

Kitchen Stuff

Cosmetics

…anyway, you get the idea.  There’s tons more stuff out there than I thought there was.  I hear people say, “Nothing’s made here any more.”  I’ve even said it.  But it turns out, all I need to do is look around like I’ve got eyes.  There are people up the road who refurbish washers and dryers (so that mine don’t have to be recycled or trashed), sell their own food (pesticide free), make candles and pottery, roast their own coffee beans, grow their own grapes and then make wine with American made bottles.  I can buy butter from American dairies, olive oils made from California olives (Italian doesn’t always mean best), and even the dog food I buy comes from Montana.  …sadly, my shoes still come from China…

The cool things about American companies are fairly endless.  They recycle more, conserve more, and pay more taxes that keep our nation going.  I find myself continually thinking about what can be recycled, what can be purchased locally, what companies do the most good…like Skilcraft.  They employ the blind.

I guess the point is, if we look close enough, we can find what we’re looking for.  If you know of an American company who’s products you use, please post it in the comments.  I’d love to learn more.

Plus, between me and you, I’d really love to hear a conversation like this on the news:

Foreign Dignitary: We are concerned with the decline in imports to your nation.  We have many products which your people are no longer purchasing.  This could lead to the decline of goodwill on our part.

POTUS: Yes, well, you see…our people finally realized that your stuff breaks all the damn time, is poisonous, and you support terrorism all the while you stand here smiling and demanding our jobs. Jog on.

…I can dream…